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I am so used to hearing expressions like these, but not really understanding them. Lately, I am coming to grasp the meaning–and the value–of face value. Maybe it’s the COVID-19 situation bringing it into better focus.

What is face value when you no longer see anyone’s real face? I mean, in the age of text and social media, is there really any face value? Sure, we have video–and, truth be told, I’d rather Zoom than not see people (I was SO excited to see my boss’s face the other day, after literally about nine months of just hearing her voice on the phone). However, the majority of our relationships, for the most part, exist on text and social media–at the very least, I would say, NOT face to face, or, as they say, in real life (IRL). Is anyone else getting simply tired of it? Or, if not tired of it, wondering why you are feeling like an outlier because you don’t really want to count it anymore as real interaction?

I feel like so many of my relationships consider text communications to be sufficient–and, to be fair, sometimes they can be–to be the brunt of our total interactions! To that, I am increasingly saying, it’s not enough. It really does require more than that (for me, for where I am right now in my life and in my recovery). To add, my not responding (or not responding fully) does not mean that I don’t like you, or that I am angry or pissed or whatever; it just means that I just don’t consider it “real” face to face–and I refuse to give it that value.

Even my mom sends emails a LOT more regularly these days; she used to get annoyed when I emailed her instead of calling. Now, I can’t be bothered to go into depth over email, so she’s the one who’s like, why didn’t you reply, it’s been days! The irony!

I know my tendency as an introvert is to not interact with people; but since getting sober, I have tried really hard to go around that tendency and force myself to talk to people, to try and see people (versus other ways of staying in touch). We are, so many of us, introverts; however, being an introvert is not the same as using text to avoid someone because you are insecure; or, using text as a means to replace an actual “IRL” relationship because, for some reason, you don’t want to commit to a relationship.

The thing is, a lot can get crossed over the wires when you’re only–or mainly–texting or using social media; a lot can be misinterpreted or misunderstood. Which can lead to, well, relationships gone bad. And, these are never made better unless you see each other face to face–you can never really truly take things at face value unless you’re face to face, body to body (in my opinion, anyway). This might be a rather traditional, luddite approach (favored by my grandparents, no doubt! damn, has perimenopause aged me four decades instead of two these past several years?), but one whose value I am only now beginning to truly appreciate, in the midst of a pandemic that has forced us all to re-consider how we’ve been interacting lately.

On a personal note, I was furloughed from my (normally remote) nonprofit job–90 days, no pay. I am going to try to collect UI, but we’ll see (I am not 100% sure I can get it considering how hairy things have gotten pretty much everywhere with everyone applying for unemployment benefits). The silver lining is actually gold: I get to step away from this job for a while, which has sucked up a lot of my mental and emotional time this past 16 months, and invest it in this blog, in my own personal writing, in well, my recovery. Lately, I feel like I need to address my reactions to other people–maybe it’s as simple as, I see some of my acquaintances’ behavior differently now that I am more sober and older, and it probably was never cool to begin with. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I am increasingly like, bye, gurl, when it comes to confusing/indirect/passive aggressive behavior–I don’t have the willpower or desire anymore to dig deep and speculate; I choose to take things at face value.

In any case, I suggest everyone step back and give yourself a pat on the back and a big hug–you are doing great. Amazing, actually. And, I mean that–you can take that at face value. YOU ARE AMAZING.

3 Responses to “Face value”

Interesting post and I can relate to what you say about text messaging, it can be a nightmare of misinterpretation and crossed wires. Ive noticed that sending texts is now preferred by many youngsters(including my own children) to speaking on the phone which seems a real shame. Trouble is, during these times we rely on whatever form of communication we can and it has made such a difference to be able to keep in touch with friends and family. It’s just making sure we don’t misinterpret those texts and being wary how we interpret the times we may not be able to text. Jim x

I know what you mean – I’m really missing actually seeing my friends and find Zoom meet ups weird and can’t engage with them for long but better than not seeing them at all! Also find I tolerate less 🤬 now I don’t drink! I’m sorry about your job – hope you can get your money sorted and focus on your writing – good luck and look forward to your posts! Xx

I love what you said about finally getting back to your blog, and to your writing. I’m doing the same thing … haven’t done much of anything in over a year, blog-wise. And maybe, just maybe, I can finish that memoir I started say, almost three years ago. Then again, I can write shorter stuff at the same time, another thing I haven’t done in years. There is opportunity here! Where else do you post your writing? or do you?